Obey, page 7
Leaving her is harder than I imagined. Blue lies outside the door, so I leave it open a crack in case he wants to go in, before making my way downstairs. Passing the kitchen, I see Sally making what I think is bread as she kneads the dough.
“When you’re finished, would you mind bringing up some water for Soren?” Her eyes slide over to me before she nods.
As I walk away, I hear, “I’m missing a paring knife.”
“I’ll get you a new one.” Her laughter follows me.
Entering my office, I find the brothers seated across from my desk, bottled water in their hands. That pleases me. I won’t invest my money and word into a man who drinks during a business meeting like this, especially so early. It would lead me to believe he isn’t ready for what I’m about to offer.
“Fury?” I nod to the burlier one. The brothers' looks are similar enough that they could be mistaken for each other.
He stands, offers a hand, and then says, “My brother Styx.”
Shaking each of their hands, I notice Zak enter and close the door. “Eli’s on it,” he shares.
“Something wrong?” Styx asks, glancing between us.
“No. Just protection for my girl.” I’m bringing them into my fold; they’ll need to know she’s off-limits.
Fury’s spine straightens. “She in danger?”
Waving him off, I explain, “Nothing like that. I’d rather be safe than sorry.” Relaxing in his seat, he nods. “Now, I assume you understand why you’re here; I simply need to know if you’re up for being the best in the business.”
“What’s the catch?” the brother asks, and I raise a brow at him. “I’ve been managing Fury since we were teens. I’m not about to let him step into some shit without having all the details.”
Staring the kid down, I expect him to stand down, to waver in his stance. I’m pleased he doesn’t. “No catch. You fight, you win, we both make money.”
“There’s always a catch,” Fury reiterates.
Sitting back in my chair, I keep my hands flat on the desk. “I could create one to make you more comfortable, but as it stands, there isn’t one. My expectations are clear. Your debut would be in about six months so that you have time to train with my current fighter. He’s ruthless, takes no shit, and if you’re up to it, he’ll get you in the best shape of your life.”
Zak looks at his phone before coming over to whisper in my ear, “She’s up and heading this way.” Christ, that didn’t last nearly long enough.
“Open the door,” I tell him. The brothers watch Zak do as I say, curiosity in their eyes.
“There are rules, of course,” I begin.
“Here we go,” Styx mutters. Fury shoots him a glare.
“No drinking, no drugs, and you stick to the dietary plan that will be laid out for you.” I pause when Soren enters the doorway, looking far too delectable for anyone else to see. Both men turn to look at her, their throats bobbing as they take her in. I watch them shift in their chairs; their attraction is palpable.
“Daddy?” Her eyes meet mine. She looks thoroughly fucked and in desperate need of another deep dicking. Or maybe that’s only what I want to see.
“You have a daughter?” Styx asks, obviously not cluing in.
“Come here, princess.” Soren immediately walks closer. The dress she’s wearing swishes across the tops of her thighs, enticing any man who looks at her. “You miss Daddy already, little girl?” I observe from the corner of my eye as they watch our interaction.
Standing between my legs, I slide one hand up the back of her dress to cup her bare cheek. “You are begging for a spanking, princess.” Climbing into my lap, she kisses my jaw, nipping at my neck. “Behave,” I whisper into her ear as I cradle her to me.
Glancing at the brothers, I register their confusion. “Not my daughter.” They nod. “Nobody lays a finger on her unless they want to die. The ways in which I will torture a man have yet to be invented.” I level them both with a glare. Zak chokes back a laugh since I let him touch her not an hour ago.
“I have a condo for you here in Anaheim if you want,” I continue with my instructions. “Where you live is up to you, nonetheless.”
Fury says, “We have a place in Venice Beach.” Nick Gambino’s territory. Since he’s not into the fighting circuit, I know they’ll be fine, but I’ll have a word with the other man anyway.
“Fine.” My dick grows as Soren shifts in my lap. “You should be in bed, princess,” I growl down at her.
“It’s not the same without you,” she whines, drawing a smile from me. Brushing back her hair, I cup her chin in my hand.
“Questions, gentlemen?” I glance up to find Styx’s gaze glued to Soren.
“Yeah, what’s with the Daddy?” Soren stiffens in my arms before she sits up.
“What about it?” she bites out, obviously ready to tear this man down.
“Why?” I focus on his eyes. He’s not judging her or us, he’s simply curious about what it means.
I notice Soren struggling with how to explain because I’m not sure she understands it herself, only that she knows it’s right for us. So, I field the question. “It’s more than a father figure. It’s protection, love, encouragement. It means she knows I’ll always stand with, beside, or behind her in any situation. Being her Daddy is an honor I’ll take with me to the grave. There isn’t a thing in this world I won’t do for Soren. Nothing she’ll ever want for. I take care of her.”
Her eyes become teary as she looks back at me. Cupping her cheek, I lift her chin and brush my lips across hers, telling her without words just how much I love her.
“Sounds…intense,” Styx finally responds.
“With the right woman, it should always be intense.” And that is true. I hadn’t realized it until meeting my sweet girl, but from the moment my sight landed on her, I’d felt a burning desire deep within me to know everything I could about her.
CHAPTER 12
Soren
I’ve been staying at Adonis’ estate for a couple of days now, and each one feels like a dream. It’s the first time in a long time that I haven’t worried about being a burden or deciding if I should be doing something else.
Sally has been teaching me to cook, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve truly found my place in the kitchen, even after burning a few things and ruining others. We always just start over, and I learn from my mistakes. She doesn’t make me feel like a failure when I don’t get something on the first try.
The best part is Blue has begun warming up to Adonis and his most trusted men. Sally had his love from the minute she fed him a colossal steak the first night we were here. She has food; therefore, she’s one of his best friends.
I haven’t heard anything from my father since that time he came by, but I know he’s not done trying to get me back yet. Not when he’s promised me to another man. Adonis has been vigilant about my safety. Even now, as I’m walking Blue outside the estate, there is a guard about fifty feet in front of me and two more the same distance behind.
During the evenings, Adonis usually takes this walk with me, but in the mornings, he leaves me to do it on my own. I told him the other day that I love the way he’s obsessed with me, but he walks too fast, and after the way we keep each other up at night, I need a more leisurely pace. He laughed but granted me this wish. Like he always does.
I only have to ask for something, and it typically appears within the hour. I’ve never been happier than I am with Adonis, and I like to think it’s the same for him. Which is why I don’t understand this sense of foreboding I’ve had all morning.
Blue stops to sniff the air. I’ve been going without the muzzle on him because I’ve always got someone with me, and my dog trusts these men to a point that they can handle him when needed. There haven’t been any incidents, but I’m still vigilant.
Watching his hackles rise, I step closer and hold his leash tighter. A blacked-out SUV rolls slowly down the street, and I watch in horror as a window rolls down, the muzzle of a gun slides through the opening, and a burst of gunfire explodes. Blood sprays from the guard in front of me before he drops to the ground.
I’m tackled from behind, one body covering me, the other returning fire, and Blue barks and growls, trying to attack but unable to get free from my grip.
“Stay down,” the guard on top of me orders, and I curl into a smaller ball as tires squeal. Suddenly, the noise is gone, yet the silence is deafening.
“Is it over?” I whisper, but it sounds like I’m yelling.
I’m warned, “Running back to the house,” as I’m hauled to my feet. One injured guard is behind me, and the other holds my arm as we run. Unfortunately, my legs are too short, and I keep tripping. Eventually, I’m picked up, and the leash slips from my fingers, but Blue runs ahead, barking wildly at the gates of Adonis’ estate until they’re opened and a dozen men come piling out.
Zak and Eli are at the front of it, followed by Adonis. “Princess.” He drags me from the guard’s arms, skimming his hands all over my body, checking for injuries, before cupping my cheeks and angling my head so I’m forced to look into his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I-I-I think so.” I don’t think I’m hurt, but I’m not sure I’m okay, either. Not after being shot at. It’s the second scariest moment of my life. The first was watching Adonis getting shot twice. “Why does this keep happening?” I murmur, not really expecting an answer.
Dragging me into his arms, I’m wrapped tightly in the safest place I’ll ever be. “It’ll never happen again, princess, I promise.” And I believe him. Because I don’t think I’ll ever leave his house again.
“Ambulance is on the way,” I hear someone shout. “He’s still alive.” My head lifts at that. I don’t know my guards well; there hasn’t been enough time for that, but I do like them, and I certainly don’t want anyone losing their life simply for protecting mine.
“Any idea who it was?” Adonis’ voice rumbles in my ear, where I lean against his chest.
“I got a plate number,” the guard who covered my body with his says.
“Can I go inside, Adonis? Please.” I don’t want to be out here anymore. I need to be inside, away from all of this. I never thought of myself as weak before, but after this, I’m starting to feel like maybe I am. Maybe I’m not cut out for this kind of life. It’s terrifying.
“Nothing’s going to happen to you, princess.” Slanting his lips over mine, he inhales me. Devours me. Our tongues tangle, and with as intense as the last few minutes have been, he’s sweet in his claiming. “Joe!” he calls out when he pulls back.
“Yeah, boss?” The tall blond man looks furious.
“Take her up to the house, lock everything down, and stay by her side.” He waits until Joe nods before dismissing him. “Stick with Joe. Stay away from windows and doors. Listen to him.” I nod furiously as Joe grips my elbow, ushering me up to the house. Blue doesn’t follow me; instead, he sits beside Adonis’ feet and awaits orders.
I’m ushered into Adonis’ office. There are no windows in here, and the doors are closed and locked.
Neither of us says a word as Joe stands guard, waiting for his next orders. I sit on the couch against the far wall and wrap the throw blanket around my body. Suddenly, I’m frozen to the bone. I realize it’s the adrenaline rush over everything that just happened. I should be fine. I will be fine. I am fine. But I’m so scared.
For myself.
For Adonis.
For the men paid to protect me.
I thought Adonis was silly for insisting on bodyguards. I’m just me—a little nobody from Irvine. Except that’s not true.
It’s been a lie I’ve told myself my entire life.
My father’s line of work, his clientele, has always put me at risk. Now, there’s Adonis, who he is, and what he does. I don’t fault him for his lifestyle; there are worse men out there in the world. He, at the very least, has a moral compass.
Clearly, I hadn’t expected for my world to come crashing in on me due to either man because now, I really need to consider the men in my life…if the risk to my own is worth being in theirs.
“Who did this?” I finally ask, recognizing it’s unlikely they’ll know at this point.
“We don’t have answers yet.” Joe’s steady gaze remains locked on the door.
I acknowledge that, curling up into the corner of the couch and waiting on word that it’s safe to come out. What I don’t expect is to fall asleep and slip into a realm of nightmares where my own worst fears come true.
CHAPTER 13
Adonis
I’m seething with rage as my men work around me, hacking into the CCTV feeds in our neighborhood and checking our own security footage to get a look at the shooter who nearly took the only thing in my life that could bring me to my knees.
When I heard the shots being fired while inside the house, I swear I nearly died on the spot. If Soren were no longer in my world, then I’d have no place in it either. It’s a fucking miracle she came out of the shooting unscathed.
Police are here now and asking questions outside, wanting to speak to Soren, but I won’t force her to deal with them again after the way she was harassed over the bank robbery. No. If they want something, it’s coming from me and the men guarding her.
“Mr. Lorde, it’s imperative that we speak to all the witnesses,” the officer tries again.
“She saw nothing. Her guards shielded her and raced home with her. She can tell you less than they did.” Crossing my arms, I stare the man down, waiting for him to submit to my impenetrable gaze. It takes mere seconds, and the coward backs off.
“I got this, boss. Go check on her,” Zak says from behind me, knowing full well the only thing I want is to have Soren in my arms and under my body. But I can’t until I know the threat has diminished.
“Got something.” Eli saunters over with a tablet in hand. Flipping the screen, he zooms in on the tattoo of the man holding the automatic weapon. One I recognize—a rosary wrapped around the man’s wrist and trailing up his arm, with a bright yellow daisy on the top of his hand.
“I’ll fucking kill him,” I hiss, nearly cracking the screen with my tight grip. “Find him. Bring him to me.”
Abdul Karas.
I had already wanted to throttle the man; now, I’m going to make him wish he were never born and have him praying for death.
Storming up to the house, I wave off the new detective on-scene trying to gain my attention. Blue follows dutifully beside me, snapping and snarling at anyone who comes too close. Slamming my way through the front door, I find Joe now standing outside my office, a gun in one hand and a knife in the other, prepared and willing to put his life on the line for my sweet girl.
“Any news?” he asks me.
“Abdul Karas.” I spit the name out like the curse it is. He lets fly a string of expletives. “Did you find anything about him on Hudson’s laptop?”
“No, but I found a few burners in his living quarters. I’m thinking they ran through them like crack because there was nothing on his personal phone, and there were no numbers programmed into the disposables, either.”
I trained my men well; of course, there wouldn’t be a trace of their deception.
“We’re going to make an example out of Karas. We may be a smaller organization out of the four families, but we are no less powerful. When I’m done with him, nobody will dare cross us again.” I’m already looking forward to the bloodshed.
“When?” Joe asks. He knows we’re going to war.
“I want everyone in my office at midnight. We’ll discuss strategies then.” I debate bringing my older brother in on this. Theias and I have been at odds our entire lives. Primarily due to our parents consistently pitting us against each other, and we have yet to move past it. But the woman beyond these doors will be another reason.
After what went down with Nick and Rue, I know my brother is pissed. He paid a significant sum for the girl only to lose her. He wants a woman. A specific lifestyle. One that we all seem to have in common.
“Stay here,” I instruct Joe.
“Didn’t plan on leaving, boss.” With a thankful nod, I enter my domain. Spotting Soren’s sleeping form curled up on the couch, I close the doors behind me and engage the lock.
Removing my shoes, I unbutton my shirt and strip it off, tossing it on the chair in front of my desk before pulling out my weapons and placing them on the table in front of the couch. Slipping the blanket off her covered body, I gently lift her into my arms and cradle her against my chest.
Releasing a deep breath of relief that she really is okay, I allow the anger of the day to drain away. If I’d lost her, if something had happened to her, I’d have gone off the deep end with no chance of recovery. Right now, my thirst for blood is overwhelming.
“I’m so fucking sorry, princess.”
“S’okay, Daddy.” Her sleepy voice tries to reassure me as she shifts so that her thighs are straddling me, and she burrows into my chest. Pressing her face into the crook of my neck and inhaling, I let her sweet innocence calm some of the raging beast behind my rib cage.
“I can’t lose you.” Cupping the back of her head and her ass, I hold her tightly. Almost too tightly. But then she sighs and kisses the rapid pulse in my neck.
“I feel the same way, Daddy.” Fuck, I will never tire of hearing her call me that.
“Good, princess, that’s real fucking good. Because I’m going to eliminate this asshole and anyone else who dares threaten you. I’ll burn the fucking world to the ground if I have to. You understand me?” She sits back to look at me. The intensity and menace with which I speak are laced with venom.
Gripping the hem of her dress, Soren lifts the material over her head, leaving her in nothing but her black thong. “I need my Daddy,” she whines with a pout on her thick lips. “I need to feel you pulsing inside me. Show me that you own me, Adonis. Please.”
“Anything you want, princess.” Lifting up, she unbuckles my pants enough for my aching cock to spring forward. Pre-cum already drips from the slit, and I’m more than ready to claim my girl again.
